Verification of the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Exteroceptive Body Awareness Questionnaire (EBA-q) in the older Chinese adults

This study aimed to adapt the Exteroceptive Body Awareness Questionnaire (EBA-q) into Chinese and evaluate its psychometric properties in the older adult population, addressing the lack of a validated assessment tool. Utilizing convenience sampling, the research recruited 940 older adults (51.8% male, 48.2% female, mean age = 71.07 years). The original scale underwent cultural adaptation and linguistic translation, and its psychometric properties were rigorously evaluated through item analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and assessments of internal consistency reliability. The results demonstrated that the Chinese EBA-q successfully replicated the original scale’s four‑factor dimensional structure (Visuo‑tactile awareness, Spatial coordination, Awareness of body changes, and Awareness of clothing fit). Model comparisons indicated that a correlated four‑factor model provided a better fit in older Chinese adults than the bifactor structure proposed in the original study, possibly reflecting cultural or developmental distinctions. The scale exhibited excellent internal consistency and established measurement invariance across gender and region. In conclusion, the Chinese EBA‑q exhibits robust reliability and validity. The adapted scale is thus a suitable tool for assessing exteroceptive body awareness in this population.